Ecovillages are ecologically sustainable villages of from 50 to 150 people. This size is considered to be the maximum social network according to findings from sociology and anthropology. Larger towns of up to 2000 people are sometimes described as ecovillages, but technically, these transcend any reasonable definition of a single village and more properly describe clusters of same, each perhaps focusing on a different aspect of economy.
An ecovillage is a small community united by shared ecological, social and/or spiritual values. It is often composed of people who have chosen an alternative to mainstream power networks. Many see the breakdown of traditional forms of community, wasteful lifestyles, the destruction of natural habitat, urban sprawl, factory farming and over-reliance on fossil fuels as trends that must be changed to avert ecological disaster. They see small-scale communities with minimal ecological impact as an alternative. However, they often cooperate with peer villages in a power network of their own (see Global Ecovillage Network for such an example). This model of collective action is similar to that of Ten Thousand Villages, which supports the fair trade of goods worldwide.
The principles on which ecovillages rely can be applied to urban (see cohousing) and to rural settings, as well as to developing and developed countries. Advocates seek infrastructural independence and a sustainable lifestyle (for example, of voluntary simplicity) for inhabitants with a minimum of trade outside the local area, or ecoregion. Rural ecovillages are usually based on organic farming, permaculture and other approaches which promote ecosystem function and biodiversity.
An ecovillage usually relies on:
- "Green" infrastructural capital;
- autonomous building or clustered housing, to minimize ecological footprint;
- renewable energy;
- permaculture;
- cohousing or other forms of supportive community.
- Local purchasing so as to support the local economy;
- local food production and distribution;
- moral purchasing to avoid objectionable consumption;
- consensus decision-making for governance;
- a choice to respect diversity.
See also: Eco-feminism, Eden Alternative, Mennonite, green politics, bioneer
